Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a setting unit and a providing unit. The setting unit sets an exercise intensity. The providing unit provides exercise information used by a user to achieve the exercise intensity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-111839 filed Jun. 6, 2017.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus anda non-transitory computer readable medium.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus including a setting unit and aproviding unit. The setting unit sets an exercise intensity. Theproviding unit provides exercise information used by a user to achievethe exercise intensity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal apparatus according tothe exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exercise setting table;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminalapparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen;

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen;

FIG. 6 illustrates a screen; and

FIG. 7 is a graph depicting postprandial blood sugar levels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A terminal apparatus that is an example of an information processingapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a terminal apparatus 10according to this exemplary embodiment.

The terminal apparatus 10 is a portable terminal apparatus such as asmartphone, a wearable terminal, or a mobile phone. The terminalapparatus 10 may be a portable, small-sized tablet personal computer(PC). The terminal apparatus 10 has a function of providing informationconcerning exercises. The terminal apparatus 10 may provide otherinformation such as information concerning meals. The configuration ofthe terminal apparatus 10 will be described in detail hereinafter.

A communication unit 12 is a communication interface and has a functionof transmitting data to other devices and a function of receiving datafrom other devices. The communication unit 12 may be a communicationinterface having a wireless communication function or may be acommunication interface having a wired communication function. Theterminal apparatus 10 may optionally include the communication unit 12.

A storage unit 14 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory(e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)). The storage unit 14 stores, forexample, exercise setting information 16, various kinds of data, andvarious programs. The storage unit 14 may also store informationindicating the addresses of other devices. These pieces of informationmay be stored in separate storage devices or may be stored in the samestorage device.

The exercise setting information 16 is information indicating exerciseparameters to be provided to a user and is information indicatingassociations of, for example, exercise intensity, target heart rate,exercise type, travel speed during exercise, and Metabolic Equivalent ofTask (MET). The exercise intensity is a measure of how hard a personexercises (how hard a person works during a physical activity) and maybe associated with the travel speed, moving, heart rate, bodytemperature, and sweating rate, and other factors of a person, orotherwise subjective exercise intensity (a psychological measure of howhard a person exercises) may be used. The exercise intensity isrepresented by a value (in %), for example. The MET is a unit used todefine the exercise intensity and is a measure used to estimate energyexpenditure required for an activity to express the intensity of theactivity. One MET is defined as energy expenditure at rest. The exercisesetting information 16 will be described in detail below.

A user interface (UI) unit 18 includes a display unit and an operationunit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay. The operation unit is an input device such as a touch panel orvarious buttons. The UI unit 18 may be a user interface including adisplay unit and an operation unit in different form (e.g., a touchdisplay or a device configured such that an electronic keyboard or thelike is displayed on a display).

A user information obtaining unit 20 has a function of obtainingphysical information and meal information about the user. The physicalinformation and the meal information may be input by the user using theUI unit 18 or may be obtained by a device.

The physical information includes information indicating physicalconditions of the user, such as gender, age, exercise habits, steplength, body weight, heart rate, resting heart rate, body temperature,blood pressure, blood sugar level, the date and time of measurement ofthe blood pressure, and the date and time of measurement of the bloodsugar level. The heart rate, the body temperature, the blood pressure,and so on may be measured using an activity meter, for example. Theterminal apparatus 10 may function as an activity meter to measure aheart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and so on, or a deviceother than the terminal apparatus 10, for example, a wearable terminalhaving a function of an activity meter, may be used to measure a heartrate, body temperature, blood pressure, and so on. The user informationobtaining unit 20 may obtain information indicating the blood sugarlevel of the user. For example, a wearable terminal designed to measurea blood sugar level may be attached to the skin of the user and may sendinformation indicating a blood sugar level measured by the wearableterminal to the terminal apparatus 10.

The meal information includes the composition of meals eaten by theuser, the times of eating (meal times), the caloric intake, the amountof carbohydrate, and so on. The user information obtaining unit 20 mayobtain information indicating the composition of meals by causing theuser to take images of the meals using a camera. When the terminalapparatus 10 has a function of a camera, the user may take images of themeals by using the terminal apparatus 10. The images taken by the userare analyzed to identify the composition of the meals eaten by the user,and the user information obtaining unit 20 obtains informationindicating the composition of the identified meals. The analysis ofimages may be performed by the terminal apparatus 10 or may be performedby an external device such as a server. The composition of the mealsidentified through image analysis may be used to determine the caloricintake or the amount of carbohydrate (e.g., a statistical value (a valueobtained by analyzing actual food data) or the like). It is to beunderstood that the user may input meal information by using the UI unit18.

An exercise measurement unit 22 has a function of performing exercisemeasurement for the user. For example, the exercise measurement unit 22measures the number of steps the user has taken, the travel speed or thetravel distance of the user, or the duration of an exercise performed bythe user. The exercise measurement unit 22 may be a pedometer. Theexercise measurement unit 22 may be optionally included in the terminalapparatus 10. Alternatively, the exercise measurement unit 22 may beincluded in a device other than the terminal apparatus 10, such as awearable terminal. In this case, the terminal apparatus 10 obtainsmeasured results of the exercise from the device. The travel distancemay be measured using Global Positioning System (GPS) or may be obtainedby multiplying the measured number of steps by the step length.

An exercise intensity setting unit 24 has a function of setting anexercise intensity. The exercise intensity may be specified by the useror may be determined based on the number of calories to be burned by theuser. An initial value may be determined for the exercise intensity. Theinitial value is, for example, 50%. The initial value may be changed bythe user. Examples of the number of calories to be burned by the userinclude the total number of calories in meals eaten by the user within apredetermined period (e.g., within a day), and the number of calories ofcarbohydrate ingested by the user within the period. The number ofcalories obtained by subtracting the number of calories expended at restfrom the total number of calories or the number of carbohydrate caloriesmay be used as the number of calories to be burned by the user. Theexercise intensity setting unit 24 may change the exercise intensity inaccordance with whether the user has achieved the goal of the exercise.

A target heart rate calculation unit 26 has a function of calculating atarget heart rate based on the exercise intensity. The calculation of atarget heart rate is performed using the Karvonen method, for example.In the Karvonen method, a target heart rate is calculated in accordancewith Formula (1).

Target heart rate=(maximum heart rate−resting heart rate)×exerciseintensity (%)+resting heart rate  (1)

The maximum heart rate of the user is given by 220 minus the age of theuser.

With the use of the heart rate, an exercise intensity corresponding tothe heart rate is calculated. The exercise intensity is calculated inaccordance with Formula (2).

Exercise intensity=(heart rate−resting heart rate)−(maximum heartrate−resting heart rate)×100  (2)

The age, the resting heart rate, and the heart rate are informationincluded in the physical information described above. The intensity ofan exercise that is actually performed may be measured by measuring theheart rate during the exercise.

An exercise duration setting unit 28 has a function of setting theduration of an exercise to be performed by the user. The exerciseduration may be specified by the user or may be determined based on thenumber of calories to be burned by the user. An initial value may bedetermined for the exercise duration. The initial value may be changedby the user. The exercise duration set by the exercise duration settingunit 28 is hereinafter referred to as the “target exercise duration”.

An exercise parameter setting unit 30 has a function of settingparameters of an exercise to be performed by the user based on theexercise intensity. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 identifies,for example, exercise parameters associated with the exercise intensityin the exercise setting information 16, such as the exercise type, thetravel speed, and the MET, as the parameters of an exercise to beperformed by the user. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may setexercise parameters based on the exercise intensity and the target heartrate or may set exercise parameters based on the target heart rate.

Exercise information indicating the exercise parameters set by theexercise parameter setting unit 30 is provided to the user. Since theexercise parameters are based on the exercise intensity, the exerciseinformation corresponds to information used by the user to achieve theexercise intensity.

The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may determine a virtual exerciseability based on the exercise parameters and set a virtual competitor,called a pacemaker, having the virtual exercise ability. The pacemakeris implemented by artificial intelligence (AI), for example, andperforms an exercise in virtual space with the virtual exercise ability.The virtual exercise ability is represented by, for example, the travelspeed included in the exercise parameters.

An exercise evaluation unit 32 has a function of performing exerciseevaluation for the user. When a pacemaker is used, the exerciseevaluation unit 32 compares the exercise performed by the user, which ismeasured by the exercise measurement unit 22, with the exerciseperformed by the pacemaker in virtual space and outputs informationindicating a comparison result (evaluation result). The comparisonresult is provided to the user. For example, when the result of theexercise performed by the user is better than the result of the virtualexercise performed by the pacemaker, the exercise evaluation unit 32determines that the user has defeated the pacemaker. When the result ofthe virtual exercise performed by the pacemaker is better than theresult of the exercise performed by the user, the exercise evaluationunit 32 determines that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker.

The exercise intensity setting unit 24 may set the exercise intensity inaccordance with the evaluation result obtained by the exerciseevaluation unit 32. For example, when the user has defeated thepacemaker, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 may set the exerciseintensity to a higher level. When the user has been defeated by thepacemaker, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 may remain the setexercise intensity or may set the exercise intensity to a lower level.

An exercise duration accumulation unit 34 has a function of accumulatingthe durations of exercises actually performed by the user to determine acumulative exercise duration. The cumulative exercise duration may beused to calculate the number of calories burned actually or advice onexercises based on the cumulative exercise duration may be provided tothe user.

A control unit 36 has a function of controlling the operation of eachunit of the terminal apparatus 10. When a pacemaker is used, the controlunit 36 may grant points to the user when the user has defeated thepacemaker. The control unit 36 includes a display control unit 38.

The display control unit 38 has a function of causing the display unitof the UI unit 18 to display various types of information. The displaycontrol unit 38 causes the display unit to display exercise information,such as an image associated with the user, an image associated with thepacemaker, information indicating an exercise path, and informationindicating a comparison result between the exercise performed by theuser and the exercise performed by the pacemaker.

In the following, an exercise setting table that is an example of theexercise setting information 16 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the exercisesetting table.

In the exercise setting table, for example, the type of an exercise, thetravel speed during the exercise (in m/min and km/h), the MET of theexercise, the activity duration (in min), the number of caloriespredicted to be burned when the exercise is performed for the activityduration (caloric expenditure), the heartbeat and rate, the target heartrate, and the exercise intensity are associated with one another. Aperson works harder during an exercise having a higher level of exerciseintensity. For example, the travel speed during an exercise having ahigher level of exercise intensity is set higher.

The value of each item may be, for example, a statistical value (a valueobtained by analyzing the actual exercise data) or the like. Theexercise setting table is created in advance and is stored in thestorage unit 14. The values included in the exercise setting table maybe updated at a predetermined timing or at any desired timing. Forexample, when a new statistical value is obtained, the statistical valuemay be reflected in the exercise setting table.

The exercise setting table is referred to, thereby identifying specificparameters associated with an exercise type, such as the travel speed,the MET, the caloric expenditure, and the exercise intensity. Further,an exercise intensity is specified, thereby identifying parametersnecessary to achieve the exercise intensity, such as the type of anexercise, the travel speed during the exercise, the MET of the exercise,and the number of calories burned during the exercise. Alternatively, anexercise intensity and a target heart rate are specified, therebyidentifying parameters necessary to achieve the exercise intensity andthe target heart rate, such as the type of an exercise, the travel speedduring the exercise, the MET of the exercise, and the number of caloriesburned during the exercise. The exercise parameter setting unit 30refers to the exercise setting table to identify parameters of anexercise (such as the type of the exercise and the travel speed)associated with the exercise intensity set by the exercise intensitysetting unit 24. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may identifyexercise parameters associated with the exercise intensity and thetarget heart rate.

If the exercise intensity set by the exercise intensity setting unit 24is not included in the exercise setting table, the exercise parametersetting unit 30 searches the exercise setting table for an exerciseintensity that is closest to the set exercise intensity and identifiesthe exercise parameters associated with the found exercise intensity.This also applies to the case in which the calculated target heart rateis not included in the exercise setting table. In this case, theexercise parameter setting unit 30 may search the exercise setting tablefor a target heart rate that is closest to the calculated target heartrate.

The operation of the terminal apparatus 10 will be described hereinafterwith reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating theoperation of the terminal apparatus 10. The description will be given ofthe case in which the user competes with a pacemaker.

First, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 checks the exercise stageof the user (S01). The exercise stage of the user corresponds to theexercise level of the user and is associated with the exerciseintensity. Multiple exercise stages are created in advance, andinformation indicating the exercise stages is stored in, for example,the storage unit 14. When the user has defeated the pacemaker, theexercise stage proceeds to the next stage and the exercise intensity isset to a higher level accordingly. When the exercise stage is set to aninitial value (e.g., stage “1”), the exercise intensity that is set toan initial value (e.g., 50%) is used. It is assumed here that theexercise stage is set to the initial value and the exercise intensitysetting unit 24 sets the exercise intensity to the initial value. It isto be understood that the user may specify the exercise intensity. Whenthe exercise intensity is set, the target heart rate calculation unit 26calculates a target heart rate in accordance with, for example, theKarvonen method. Information necessary for the calculation of a targetheart rate is obtained by the user information obtaining unit 20.

Then, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 refers to the exercisesetting table illustrated in FIG. 2 to identify exercise parametersassociated with the exercise intensity and target heart rate set in stepS01, such as the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET, and setsthe intensity of the pacemaker serving as an exercise competitor on thebasis of the exercise parameters (S02). The exercise parameter settingunit 30 may set exercise parameters associated with the exerciseintensity set in step S01, rather than associated with the target heartrate, and set the intensity of the pacemaker on the basis of theexercise parameters.

A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 2. It isassumed that the exercise intensity is 50% and the target heart rate is116. The exercise type that meets these conditions is “very briskwalking (level ground)”, in which case the travel speed is “107(m/min)”, i.e., “6.4 (km/h)”, and the MET is “5.0”. In this case, theexercise parameter setting unit 30 sets a pacemaker having a virtualtravel speed equal to the travel speed.

Then, the exercise duration setting unit 28 sets the duration of anexercise to be performed by the user (target exercise duration) (S03).For example, the exercise duration setting unit 28 sets a targetexercise duration that is specified by the user using the UI unit 18.When a target exercise duration is set, the exercise parameter settingunit 30 multiplies the travel speed (virtual travel speed) included inthe exercise parameters by the target exercise duration to calculate atarget travel distance. The target travel distance corresponds to thedistance to be achieved by the user through the exercise. That is, whenthe user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the targettravel distance within the target exercise duration, the user isdetermined to have successfully achieved the exercise intensity.

Then, when the user gives an instruction to start the exercise (start acompetition) by using the UI unit 18, a competition with the pacemakerstarts (S04).

When the user starts the exercise, the exercise measurement unit 22performs exercise measurement for the user (S05). Specifically, theexercise measurement unit 22 measures the distance traveled by the user.The exercise measurement unit 22 may measure the travel distance byusing GPS or may measure the number of steps and multiply the number ofsteps by the step length to calculate the travel distance. Further, theexercise measurement unit 22 calculates the virtual travel distance ofthe pacemaker. Specifically, the exercise measurement unit 22 multipliesthe elapsed time from the point in time at which the user started theexercise (the duration of the actually performed exercise) by thevirtual travel speed to calculate the distance traveled by the pacemakerin virtual space (the virtual travel distance).

When the user starts the exercise, furthermore, the display control unit38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display an imageassociated with the user (hereinafter referred to as a “user image”) andan image associated with the pacemaker (hereinafter referred to as a“pacemaker image”) (S06). The display control unit 38 may change therelationship between the displayed position of the user image and thedisplayed position of the pacemaker image in accordance with theexercise performed by the user and the virtual exercise performed by thepacemaker. Specifically, the display control unit 38 causes the userimage to be displayed at the displayed position corresponding to thedistance traveled by the user and the pacemaker image to be displayed atthe displayed position corresponding to the virtual travel distance ofthe pacemaker. Thus, the displayed position of the user image changes inaccordance with the travel of the user, and the displayed position ofthe pacemaker image changes with time.

Then, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines whether the user hasreached the goal on the basis of the target travel distance and theactual travel distance of the user (S07). If the user has traveled adistance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within thetarget exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determinesthat the user has reached the goal. If the user has not traveled adistance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within thetarget exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determinesthat the user has not reached the goal. If it is determined that theuser has reached the goal (YES in S07), the process proceeds to stepS08. If it is determined that the user has not reached the goal (NO inS07), this determination is performed again.

If it is determined that the user has reached the goal (YES in S07), theexercise evaluation unit 32 determines whether the user has defeated thepacemaker (S08). Specifically, if the user has reached the goal withinthe target exercise duration, that is, if the user has traveled adistance greater than or equal to the target travel distance within thetarget exercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determinesthat the user has defeated the pacemaker. If the user has not reachedthe goal within the target exercise duration, that is, if the user hasnot traveled a distance greater than or equal to the target traveldistance within the target exercise duration, the exercise evaluationunit 32 determines that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker.

If it is determined that the user has defeated the pacemaker (YES inS08), the exercise duration accumulation unit 34 accumulates thedurations of exercises actually performed by the user to calculate acumulative exercise duration (S09). For example, the exercise durationaccumulation unit 34 accumulates the durations of exercises performedwithin a period specified by the user (e.g., within a day) to calculatethe total duration of the exercises performed within the period as acumulative exercise duration.

Then, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 causes the exercise stageto proceed to the next exercise stage having a higher level of exerciseintensity (S10). Information indicating the next exercise stage isstored in, for example, the storage unit 14. The next time the userperforms an exercise, the exercise intensity setting unit 24 sets theexercise intensity corresponding to the next exercise stage. In thisway, the exercise intensity is set to a higher level when the user hasdefeated the pacemaker.

Then, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit18 to display a message concerning the exercise (e.g., advice on theexercise) (S11). The message will be described below.

If it is determined that the user has been defeated by the pacemaker (NOin S08), the exercise measurement unit 22 calculates the actual travelspeed of the user, and the exercise parameter setting unit 30 identifiesthe MET corresponding to the actual travel speed (S12). For example, theexercise parameter setting unit 30 refers to the exercise setting tableillustrated in FIG. 2 to identify the MET corresponding to the actualtravel speed.

Then, the exercise duration accumulation unit 34 accumulates thedurations of exercises actually performed by the user to calculate acumulative exercise duration (S13). As described above, the cumulativeexercise duration is, for example, a total duration of exercises withina predetermined period.

Since the user has been defeated by the pacemaker, the exerciseintensity setting unit 24 maintains the current exercise stage (S14).The next time the user performs an exercise, the exercise intensitysetting unit 24 sets the exercise intensity corresponding to the currentexercise stage. In addition, the message is displayed (S11).

The next time the user performs an exercise, the process after step S01is again executed. In this case, the exercise intensity is set so as tocorrespond to the result of the previous exercise. If the user hasdefeated the pacemaker in the previous exercise, in the currentexercise, the exercise intensity is set to a higher level than theexercise intensity of the previous exercise. If the user has beendefeated by the pacemaker in the previous exercise, in the currentexercise, the exercise intensity is set to the same level as that in theprevious exercise. Subsequent processing is performed in a similar way.

The message displayed in step S11 will now be described in detail.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 calculates the number of exercisecalories. The number of exercise calories is the sum of the energy (orthe number of calories) burned through an exercise and the energy (orthe number of calories) expended at rest. The number of exercisecalories, the number of calories burned through an exercise, and thenumber of calories at rest are determined in accordance with Formulas(3).

Number of exercise calories (kcal)=MET×exercise duration×bodyweight×1.05

Number of calories at rest (kcal)=1.0 (resting MET)×exerciseduration×1.05

Number of calories burned through exercise=number of exercisecalories−number of calories at rest  (3)

In Formulas (3), the exercise duration is set to the duration of thecurrent exercise and the MET is set to the MET of the current exercise.Accordingly, the number of exercise calories burned during the currentexercise duration, the number of calories at rest, and the number ofcalories burned through the current exercise are calculated.

If multiple exercises are performed within a predetermined period (e.g.,within a day), for each exercise, the duration of the exercise and theMET of the exercise are used. Thus, for each exercise, the number ofexercise calories, the number of calories at rest, and the number ofcalories burned through the exercise are calculated. The total number ofexercise calories for the individual exercises corresponds to the numberof exercise calories burned within the period, that is, the number ofexercise calories burned within the cumulative exercise duration(hereinafter referred to as the “number of cumulative exercisecalories”). Also, the total number of calories at rest for theindividual exercises corresponds to the number of resting caloriesexpended within the period, that is, the number of resting caloriesexpended within the cumulative exercise duration. Also, the total numberof calories expended by the individual exercises corresponds to thenumber of calories burned through the exercises performed within theperiod, that is, the number of calories burned through the exercisesperformed within the cumulative exercise duration.

The number of calories burned through an exercise may be the number ofcalories obtained by multiplying the body weight (in kg) by the distance(in km) traveled.

The display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18to display, as a message, information indicating the numbers of caloriesdescribed above.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may compare the number of cumulativeexercise calories described above with the total number of caloriesingested by the user within a predetermined period (e.g., within a day)or may compare the number of cumulative exercise calories describedabove with the number of calories of carbohydrate ingested by the userwithin a predetermined period. The display control unit 38 may cause theUI unit 18 to display, as a message, information indicating thecomparison result. The total number of calories or the number ofcarbohydrate calories may be calculated by the user informationobtaining unit 20 on the basis of user information or may be calculatedby any other device (such as a wearable terminal or a server). The totalnumber of calories and the number of carbohydrate calories are definedby Formulas (4).

Total number of calories=number of calories in meals eaten by userwithin predetermined period

Number of carbohydrate calories=amount of carbohydrate×4  (4)

In general, carbohydrates contain 4 kcal per gram, proteins contain 4kcal per gram, and fats contain 9 kcal per gram. When a user ingestsmore calories than exercise calories in total, the energy correspondingto the difference between the ingested calories and the exercisecalories is said to be stored in the body as body fat.

For example, if the number of cumulative exercise calories is greaterthan the total number of calories, the display control unit 38 causesthe display unit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating theamount of exercise is excessive. That is, if the number of cumulativeexercise calories is greater than the total number of calories, morecalories than calories ingested by the user have been burned and amessage indicating this is displayed. In other words, if the cumulativeexercise duration is longer than a target exercise duration necessary toburn the total number of calories, a message indicating the amount ofexercise is excessive is displayed. The target exercise duration isdetermined based on the total number of calories (or the number ofexercise calories), the METs of individual exercises, and the bodyweight of the user in accordance with Formulas (3) given above.

When the number of cumulative exercise calories is greater than or equalto the number of carbohydrate calories and is less than or equal to thetotal number of calories, the display control unit 38 causes the displayunit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating that the amountof exercise is appropriate. That is, since an exercise necessary for theexpenditure of carbohydrate calories is performed and the amount of theexercise is not excessive, a message indicating that the amount ofexercise is appropriate is displayed. In other words, when thecumulative exercise duration is less than or equal to a target exerciseduration necessary to burn the total number of calories and is greaterthan or equal to a target exercise duration necessary for theexpenditure of carbohydrate calories, a message indicating that theamount of exercise is appropriate is displayed.

When the number of cumulative exercise calories is less than the numberof carbohydrate calories, the display control unit 38 causes the displayunit of the UI unit 18 to display a message indicating that the amountof exercise is insufficient. In other words, the cumulative exerciseduration is shorter than a target exercise duration necessary for theexpenditure of carbohydrate calories, a message indicating that theamount of exercise is insufficient is displayed.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may obtain or calculate informationindicating the energy (or the number of calories) that the user needsper day. The energy is obtained by, for example, multiplying the basalmetabolic rate by the physical activity level. The basal metabolic rateis obtained by multiplying a reference basal metabolic rate (in kcal/kgbody weight/day) by a reference body weight (in kg). The physicalactivity level is a measure used to define the degree of physicalactivity of a person. For example, when the number of cumulativeexercise calories is greater than the number of calories that the userneeds per day, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit ofthe UI unit 18 to display a message indicating the amount of exercise isexcessive.

In step S03 of the process described above, the exercise durationsetting unit 28 may set a target exercise duration based on the numberof calories to be burned by the user. The number of calories may be thetotal number of calories, for example. The exercise duration settingunit 28 calculates an exercise duration in accordance with Formulas (3)given above by using the total number of calories (substituting thetotal number of calories for the number of exercise calories in Formulas(3)), the MET (the MET corresponding to the set exercise intensity), andthe body weight of the user. The exercise duration calculated in thisway is used as the target exercise duration to calculate a target traveldistance. Additionally, the display control unit 38 may cause thedisplay unit of the UI unit 18 to display information indicating thetarget exercise duration determined based on the number of exercisecalories. Thus, information indicating a target exercise durationnecessary to burn the total number of calories is provided to the user.The display control unit 38 may further cause the display unit of the UIunit 18 to display information indicating a difference between a targetexercise duration necessary to burn the total number of calories and theduration of an exercise actually performed by the user.

The exercise duration setting unit 28 may use different numbers ofcalories to calculate target exercise durations depending on thephysical conditions of users. Information indicating physical conditionsis obtained by, for example, the user information obtaining unit 20. Forexample, the exercise duration setting unit 28 may calculate a targetexercise duration for a user having a predisposition to diabetes in theway described above using the number of carbohydrate calories as thenumber of calories to be burned, and may calculate a target exerciseduration for other users using the total number of calories as thenumber of calories to be burned. Thus, an exercise duration suitable forthe conditions specific to each user is set.

The information displayed during an exercise will now be described indetail.

FIG. 4 illustrates a screen 40 displayed during an exercise. Forexample, in step S06 of the process described above, the display controlunit 38 causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display the screen40. On the screen 40, the starting point corresponds to a position atwhich the user started the exercise (a position at which a competitionstarted), and the goal point corresponds to an endpoint located at adistance equal to a target travel distance from the starting point. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 4, the target travel distance is 1 km.

The display control unit 38 also causes a user image 42 and a pacemakerimage 44 to be displayed on the screen 40. The user image 42 is an imageassociated with the user, and the pacemaker image 44 is an imageassociated with the pacemaker.

The display control unit 38 changes the displayed position of the userimage 42 in accordance with the actual travel of the user and changesthe displayed position of the pacemaker image 44 in accordance with thetravel of the pacemaker in virtual space. Specifically, the displaycontrol unit 38 causes the user image 42 to be displayed on the screen40 at a distance equal to the distance traveled by the user from theexercise starting point. The display control unit 38 further causes thepacemaker image 44 to be displayed at a displayed position a distanceequal to the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker from the exercisestarting point. The user image 42 moves from the starting point to thegoal point in accordance with the travel of the user (e.g., the numberof steps counted by a pedometer). The pacemaker image 44 moves from thestarting point to the goal point in accordance with the virtual travelspeed. Since the pacemaker image 44 moves at the virtual travel speeddetermined based on the exercise intensity, the pacemaker image 44 isregarded as information indicating the exercise intensity to be achieved(maintained) by the user.

If the user image 42 has moved to the goal point faster than thepacemaker image 44, the user has traveled a distance greater than orequal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration.That is, the user has performed an exercise at a speed greater than orequal to the travel speed determined based on the set exercise intensitywithin the target exercise duration. The user has achieved the setexercise intensity. In this case, the exercise evaluation unit 32determines that the user has defeated the pacemaker. In this case, theuser may be granted points.

If the pacemaker image 44 has moved to the goal point faster than theuser image 42, the user has not traveled a distance greater than orequal to the target travel distance within the target exercise duration.That is, the user has not performed an exercise at a speed greater thanor equal to the travel speed determined based on the set exerciseintensity within the target exercise duration. The user has not achieved(has not maintained) the set exercise intensity. In this case, theexercise evaluation unit 32 determines that the user has been defeatedby the pacemaker.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may calculate, even during an exercise,the number of calories burned through the exercise. The number ofcalories is obtained by, for example, multiplying the body weight (inkg) by the distance (in km) traveled. The display control unit 38 maycause information indicating the obtained number of calories to bedisplayed on the screen 40.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may compare the actual travel distanceof the user with the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker, and thedisplay control unit 38 may cause the comparison result to be displayedon the screen 40. For example, the exercise evaluation unit 32 maycalculate a difference between the actual travel distance of the userand the virtual travel distance of the pacemaker, and the displaycontrol unit 38 may cause information indicating the difference to bedisplayed on the screen 40.

The display control unit 38 may cause information indicating the actualtravel distance of the user and/or information indicating the virtualtravel distance of the pacemaker to be displayed on the screen 40.Additionally or alternatively, the display control unit 38 may causeinformation indicating the distance (or the remaining distance) betweenthe current position of the user and the goal point to be displayed onthe screen 40 and may cause information indicating the distance betweenthe virtual current position of the pacemaker and the goal point to bedisplayed on the screen 40.

The exercise evaluation unit 32 may calculate the actual travel speed ofthe user, and the display control unit 38 may cause informationindicating the travel speed to be displayed on the screen 40. Thedisplay control unit 38 may also cause information indicating thevirtual travel speed to be displayed on the screen 40.

As described above, according to this exemplary embodiment, informationfor achieving (maintaining) an exercise intensity is provided to theuser. Accordingly, information for assisting the user with theirexercises is provided to the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user image 42 and the pacemaker image 44are displayed as an example of information for achieving an exerciseintensity. The user image 42 moves in accordance with the travel of theuser, and the pacemaker image 44 moves with time. The movements of theuser image 42 and the pacemaker image 44 allow the user to have thefeeling of competing with a competitor, which may keep the user moremotivated to exercise than when only the distance traveled by the useris provided without provision of the information described above.

Modifications will now be described.

First Modification

In a first modification, exercise information includes informationconcerning a combination of parameters of multiple exercises. Theexercise information is provided to the user. The first modificationwill be described in detail hereinafter.

The exercise duration setting unit 28 sets a total target exerciseduration. The total target exercise duration may be specified by theuser or may be determined from the number of calories to be burned bythe user. For example, the user is assumed to specify 10 minutes as atotal target exercise duration.

The exercise duration setting unit 28 further divides the total targetexercise duration into multiple separate target exercise durations eachhaving a predetermined period of time. For example, the total targetexercise duration is divided into units of 5 minutes. In this case, eachseparate target exercise duration is 5 minutes. In the firstmodification, the exercise parameters are updated at intervals of theseparate target exercise durations.

The exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets, for the initial separatetarget exercise duration (first separate target exercise duration),first exercise parameters (the exercise type, the travel speed, and theMET) on the basis of the exercise intensity set by the exerciseintensity setting unit 24 and the target heart rate and multiplies thetravel speed (first travel speed) by the first separate target exerciseduration to calculate an initial separate target travel distance (firstseparate target travel distance). The first separate target traveldistance corresponds to a distance to be achieved by the user throughthe initial exercise (first exercise). That is, if the user has traveleda distance greater than or equal to the first separate target traveldistance within the first separate target exercise duration, it isdetermined that the exercise intensity in the first separate targetexercise duration has been achieved.

As in the exemplary embodiment described above, the exercise parametersetting unit 30 sets a pacemaker having the first travel speed as thevirtual travel speed. The display control unit 38 causes the displayunit of the UI unit 18 to display a user image and a pacemaker image,changes the displayed position of the user image in accordance with thetravel of the user, and changes the displayed position of the pacemakerimage in accordance with the first travel speed serving as the virtualtravel speed.

If the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the firstseparate target travel distance within the first separate targetexercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that theuser has achieved the first goal. In this case, the exercise parametersetting unit 30 sets second exercise parameters in the next separatetarget exercise duration (second separate target exercise duration).Specifically, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets secondexercise parameters (the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET)on the basis of the actual heart rate of the user who has achieved thefirst goal and on the basis of the exercise intensity set for the firstgoal, and multiplies the travel speed (second travel speed) by thesecond separate target exercise duration to calculate the next separatetarget travel distance (second separate target travel distance). Thesecond separate target travel distance corresponds to a distance to beachieved by the user through the next exercise (second exercise). Thatis, if the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to thesecond separate target travel distance within the second separate targetexercise duration, it is determined that the exercise intensity in thesecond separate target exercise duration has been achieved.

As in the exemplary embodiment described above, the exercise parametersetting unit 30 sets a pacemaker having the second travel speed as thevirtual travel speed. The display control unit 38 changes the displayedposition of the user image in accordance with the travel of the user,and changes the displayed position of the pacemaker image in accordancewith the second travel speed serving as the virtual travel speed.

If the user has traveled a distance greater than or equal to the secondseparate target travel distance within the second separate targetexercise duration, the exercise evaluation unit 32 determines that theuser has achieved the second goal. If the user has performed exercisesover the total target exercise duration, the process ends. If there isany remaining separate target exercise duration, the exercise parametersetting unit 30 sets exercise parameters in the next separate targetexercise duration in a way similar to that described above.

If the user has not achieved the first goal, that is, if the user hasnot traveled a distance greater than or equal to the first separatetarget travel distance within the first separate target exerciseduration, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 determines the nextexercise parameters at the point in time when the user travels adistance equal to the first separate target travel distance. In thiscase, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets new exerciseparameters (the exercise type, the travel speed, and the MET) on thebasis of the actual heart rate of the user at this point in time and onthe basis of the exercise intensity set at this point in time, andmultiplies the travel speed (second travel speed) by the second separatetarget exercise duration to calculate the next separate target traveldistance (second separate target travel distance). If the secondseparate target exercise duration is less than the unit time (e.g., 5minutes), the exercise parameter setting unit 30 multiplies theremaining time by the second travel speed to calculate a second separatetarget travel distance. This also applies to the subsequent separatetarget exercise durations.

The information displayed during an exercise according to the firstmodification will now be described in detail.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen 46 displayed during exercises according tothe first modification. For example, in step S06 of the processdescribed above, the display control unit 38 causes the display unit ofthe UI unit 18 to display the screen 46.

The display control unit 38 causes a path image 48 indicating anexercise path to be displayed on the screen 46 and also causes the userimage 42, a first goal image 50 indicating an endpoint located at adistance equal to the first separate target travel distance from thestarting point, and a second goal image 52 indicating an endpointlocated at a distance equal to the second separate target traveldistance from the endpoint in the endpoint in the first goal image 50 tobe displayed on the screen 46. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the displaycontrol unit 38 may also cause the pacemaker image 44 to be displayed onthe screen 46.

The path image 48 includes a first path image 48 a that reflects firstgeographical conditions in the first exercise parameters, and a secondpath image 48 b that reflects second geographical conditions in thesecond exercise parameters. For example, when the first exerciseparameters are parameters for climbing a hill, the first path image 48 ais an image representing the climbing of a hill. When the secondexercise parameters are parameters for descending the hill, the secondpath image 48 b is an image representing the descending of the hill. Inthis way, the path image 48 representing exercise information indicatesthe order of the exercises (here, the first exercise and the secondexercise) to be performed by the user.

The display control unit 38 changes the displayed position of the userimage 42 along the path image 48 in accordance with the travel of theuser. The display control unit 38 causes the user image 42 to move alongthe first path image 48 a when the user is performing the firstexercise, and causes the user image 42 to move along the second pathimage 48 b when the user is performing the second exercise.

At the point in time when the first goal is not achieved, that is, ifthe user has not traveled a distance equal to the first separate targettravel distance, the second exercise parameters for the second goal havenot been set. Thus, the first path image 48 a and the first goal image50 are displayed on the screen 46, whereas the second path image 48 band the second goal image 52 are not displayed on the screen 46. Asdescribed above, when the user has traveled a distance greater than orequal to the first separate target travel distance within the firstseparate target exercise duration, the second exercise parameters areset, and the display control unit 38 causes the second path image 48 band the second goal image 52 to be displayed on the screen 46.

As described above, according to the first modification, informationconcerning multiple exercises to be performed by the user to achieve anexercise intensity is provided to the user. Accordingly, information forassisting the user with their exercises is provided to the user.

In the first modification, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 maychange the order of the exercises in accordance with physicalinformation about the user. For example, if it is preferable in terms ofbetter health that the user perform a vigorous exercise first and thenperform a moderate exercise, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 setsa vigorous exercise as the first exercise and a moderate exercise as thesecond exercise. If the opposite conditions are preferable, that is, ifit is preferable to perform a moderate exercise first and then perform avigorous exercise, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets moderateand vigorous exercises as the first and second exercises, respectively.In this way, the order of the exercises is determined in accordance withthe physical conditions of the user, which enables exercise parametersmore suitable for the physical conditions of each individual user to beprovided to the user.

Another example of the first modification will be described hereinafterwith reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates a screen 54 displayedduring exercises according to the first modification. For example, instep S06 of the process described above, the display control unit 38causes the display unit of the UI unit 18 to display the screen 54.Here, exercise parameters for cycling are set. In this case, the displaycontrol unit 38 causes a user image 56 that is an image of a bicycle tobe displayed on the screen 54. The same exercise path and goal point asthose illustrated in FIG. 5 are used. Also in the example illustrated inFIG. 6, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, as the user travels(here, as the user travels by bicycle), the displayed position of theuser image 56 changes along the path image 48. The display control unit38 may cause a pacemaker image to be displayed on the screen 54. Thepacemaker image is an image of a machine used for the exercise. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 6, an image of a bicycle is used as apacemaker image.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, a bicycle is used as an exercisemachine. Any other machine or equipment may be used. In this case, animage of a machine used for an exercise is used as a user image or apacemaker image.

When an exercise machine is used, the control unit 36 may control themachine on the basis of the exercise intensity. As in the exemplaryembodiment described above, when an exercise intensity is determined,exercise parameters corresponding to the exercise intensity, such as thetravel speed, are determined based on the exercise setting table. Thecontrol unit 36 controls the machine so as to achieve the exerciseparameters. A description will be given of a bicycle, for instance. Thecontrol unit 36 may communicate with a bicycle to automatically setgears so as to meet the exercise parameters or to provide an instructionto the user to perform the adjustment described above (e.g., theinstruction is displayed on the display unit). A treadmill may be usedas an exercise machine. In this case, the control unit 36 maycommunicate with the treadmill to automatically set the speed of thetreadmill so as to achieve an exercise intensity. For example, thecontrol unit 36 sets the speed of the treadmill to the travel speedcorresponding to the exercise intensity. In this way, controlling amachine so as to achieve an exercise intensity helps the user easilyachieve the exercise intensity.

Second Modification

A second modification will be described hereinafter. In the secondmodification, a time period during which an exercise is to be performed(hereinafter referred to as an “exercise time period”) is provided tothe user. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 sets an exercise timeperiod based on at least one of items of physical information and mealinformation about the user, for example. It is to be understood that theuser may determine an exercise time period. When an exercise time periodis set, the display control unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UIunit 18 to display information indicating the exercise time period. Whenthe starting time of the exercise time period is reached, the controlunit 36 may notify the user of the arrival of the starting time of theexercise time period. For example, information indicating the arrival ofthe starting time may be displayed on the display unit or an alarmfunction such as audio alarm or alarm light may be activated.

For example, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may obtain the bloodpressure value or the heart rate of the user from physical informationabout the user and set, as an exercise time period, a time period duringwhich the blood pressure value or the heart rate is stable, such as atime period during which the blood pressure value or the heart ratefluctuates within the allowable range, a time period during which amaximum blood pressure less than or equal to a threshold is obtained, ora time period during which the heart rate is less than or equal to athreshold. An exercise time period is determined based on physicalinformation about each individual user, which enables the user to beprovided with a time period suitable for an exercise.

Alternatively, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may obtain mealtimes from meal information about the user and set an exercise timeperiod based on the meal times. For example, an exercise time period maybe set to begin within a predetermined period from the time of startingeating. An exercise time period is determined based on meal informationabout a user, which enables the user to be provided with information forsuppressing an increase in blood sugar after meal.

Alternatively, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set anexercise time period based on both physical information and mealinformation about the user. The physical information is assumed toinclude information about the blood sugar level of the user andinformation indicating whether the user has diabetes. The exerciseparameter setting unit 30 classifies the user as any one of, forexample, a person with diabetes, a person with high postprandial bloodsugar, and a healthy person (who is not a person with diabetes or aperson with high postprandial blood sugar) and sets an exercise timeperiod based on the classification and meal times.

A description will be given of postprandial blood sugar levels withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a graph depicting a change inpostprandial blood sugar level relative to the elapsed time after meal.The elapsed time after meal (in minutes) is plotted on the horizontalaxis, and the postprandial blood sugar level (in mg/dL) is plotted onthe vertical axis. A curve 58 on the graph indicates a change in theblood sugar level of a healthy person, a curve 60 on the graph indicatesa change in the blood sugar level of a person with high postprandialblood sugar, and a curve 62 on the graph indicates a change in the bloodsugar level of a person with diabetes. The curves 58, 60, and 62 arestatistically obtained curves, for example. The blood sugar level of aperson with high postprandial blood sugar more rapidly increasesimmediately after the start of a meal than the blood sugar level of ahealthy person. The blood sugar level of a person with diabetes has aminimum value greater than the minimum value of the blood sugar level ofany other person and gradually increases after the start of a meal to apeak value. The blood sugar level of a person with diabetes exhibits apeak value at a later time compared to the blood sugar level of ahealthy person or a person with high postprandial blood sugar. In thisway, the blood sugar level changes differently depending on the healthcondition of the user. Using both physical information and mealinformation about each individual user enables the user to be providedwith an exercise time period suitable for the user. For example, theblood sugar level of a person with high postprandial blood sugar ispredicted to increase rapidly immediately after the start of a meal.Thus, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 may set the exercise timeperiod for a person with high postprandial blood sugar to be earlierthan the exercise time period for a healthy person. The exerciseparameter setting unit 30 may also set the exercise time period for aperson with diabetes to be earlier than the exercise time period for ahealthy person. For example, the user may be instructed to start anexercise within two hours from the start of a meal.

Alternatively, the blood sugar level of the user may be measured in realtime by a wearable terminal or the like. In this case, the control unit36 may correct each of the curves 58, 60, and 62 on the graphillustrated in FIG. 7 by using an actual measurement value. If thefasting blood sugar level of a user who is classified as a healthyperson is obtained, the control unit 36 may correct the curve 58 on thegraph indicating the change in the blood sugar level of a healthy personin accordance with the fasting blood sugar level. The fasting bloodsugar level is obtained through regular physical checkup or examination,for example, and is sent to the terminal apparatus 10.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and secondmodifications, the control unit 36 may guide the user through anexercise path (an exercise route or course) on which the user is toperform an exercise to achieve an exercise intensity. The displaycontrol unit 38 may cause the display unit of the UI unit 18 to displayall or part of the exercise path or may cause the display unit todisplay a path around the current position of the user. Additionally oralternatively, the control unit 36 may guide the user through theexercise path via audio. The audio may be output from speakers of theterminal apparatus 10, for example, or may be output from headphones(including earphones) connected to the terminal apparatus 10.

The control unit 36 obtains information on the current position of theterminal apparatus 10 (information on the current position of the user)by using, for example, GPS and further obtains map informationindicating a map of the surroundings of the terminal apparatus 10. Thecontrol unit 36 uses the current position of the terminal apparatus 10(the current position of the user) and the map information to guide theuser through an exercise path on which the user is able to perform anexercise in accordance with the exercise parameters set by the exerciseparameter setting unit 30. For example, “brisk walking (level ground)”is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers tothe map information to search for a road on level ground based on thecurrent position of the user and guides the user through the found roadas an exercise path. For example, the control unit 36 guides the userthrough a road on level ground that is closest to the current positionof the user as an exercise path. Likewise, “jogging on a hill” isselected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers to themap information to search for a hill that is closest to the currentposition of the user and guides the user through the found hill as anexercise path. Likewise, “stair climbing and descending” is selected asan exercise. In this case, the control unit 36 refers to the mapinformation to search for a road with stairs that is closest to thecurrent position of the user and guides the user through the found roadas an exercise path. Likewise, “cycling” is selected as an exercise. Inthis case, the control unit 36 refers to the map information to searchfor a road over which bicycles are allowed to travel and which isclosest to the current position of the user and guides the user throughthe found road as an exercise path.

The control unit 36 may set an exercise path based on, additionally, theexercise duration set by the exercise duration setting unit 28. Forexample, the control unit 36 may guide the user through a path thatmeets the conditions of the exercise parameters set by the exerciseparameter setting unit 30 and that meets the exercise duration set bythe exercise duration setting unit 28 as an exercise path. Morespecifically, the control unit 36 searches for a path on which the useris able to perform an exercise in accordance with the set exerciseparameters over the set exercise duration and guides the user throughthe found path as an exercise path.

As in the first modification, the control unit 36 may guide the userthrough an exercise path that includes a goal point (the point indicatedby the first goal image 50 or the point indicated by the second goalimage 52).

The exercise path may be changed in accordance with the physicalinformation about the user. For example, in the first modificationdescribed above, the goal point is changed in accordance with the heartrate or the like of the user and the exercise path is changedaccordingly.

Additionally or alternatively, the display control unit 38 may cause thedisplay unit of the UI unit 18 to display, as information for guidingthe user through an exercise path, an image showing topography of theexercise path. For example, when an exercise path includes a hill orstairs, an image of the hill or stairs is displayed.

The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may determine exercise parametersthat meet the geographical conditions of the current position of theuser. For example, when a road with ups and downs is present near thecurrent position of the user, the exercise parameter setting unit 30 mayset parameters of an exercise in ups and downs for achieving the setexercise intensity.

To allow the user to perform an exercise in accordance with exerciseparameters determined by the exercise parameter setting unit 30(exercise parameters for achieving the set exercise intensity), thecontrol unit 36 may guide the user through a location suitable to forthe exercise. For example, if a location suitable for an exercise to beperformed in accordance with the set exercise parameters is not presentnear the current position of the user, the control unit 36 searches forthe location and guides the user through the found location. Adescription will be given of a specific example. For instance, “hillclimbing and descending” is selected as an exercise. In this case, if nohill is present near the current position of the user, the control unit36 searches for a hill for achieving an exercise intensity and guidesthe user through the found hill. In this case, the control unit 36 mayguide the user through a hill that is closest to the current position ofthe user. If using a gym machine is included in an exercise, the controlunit 36 may search for an athletic gym in which the machine is placedand may guide the user through the found athletic gym. For example,“swimming” is selected as an exercise. In this case, the control unit 36searches for a facility in which a swimming pool is available and guidesthe user through the found facility. In another example, an exercise inwhich an athletic field or a sports facility (such as a gymnasium, aracquet sports facility, or a golf course) is utilized is selected. Inthis case, the control unit 36 may search for the athletic field orsports facility and guide the user through the found athletic field orsports facility.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and secondmodifications, the terminal apparatus 10 or a separate wearable terminalmay be used to measure the exercise intensity, the blood sugar level,the blood pressure, the heart rate, the body temperature, and so on inreal time. The exercise parameter setting unit 30 may change exerciseparameters in accordance with the measured results. The exerciseevaluation unit 32 may determine whether the heart rate during anexercise has reached the target heart rate and may output thedetermination result. For example, the determination result is displayedon the display unit of the UI unit 18.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and secondmodifications, the exercise duration or the MET may be changed inaccordance with the food actually ingested by the user. Informationconcerning the ingested food is obtained by the user informationobtaining unit 20 as, for example, user information. For example, whenthe user has ingested high-carbohydrate food, the exercise durationsetting unit 28 may set a longer exercise duration than that when theuser has ingested low-carbohydrate food, or the exercise parametersetting unit 30 may set a higher MET value than that when the user hasingested low-carbohydrate food. Furthermore, the exercise durationsetting unit 28 may change the exercise time period in accordance withthe food ingested by the user. The exercise time period is provided tothe user. For example, the user has ingested a food that causes a rapidincrease in blood sugar level immediately after the start of a meal. Inthis case, the exercise time period is set to a period during which theblood sugar level rapidly increases. Otherwise, for example, a timeperiod during which the blood sugar level is predicted to become high ora time period during which food calories are predicted to be burnedthrough exercise before taken into the body may be set as an exercisetime period.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and secondmodifications, the control unit 36 may calculate, based on the totalnumber of calories required per day and the energy (or the number ofcalories) of the food actually ingested by the user, the remainingenergy (the remaining number of calories) allowed to be taken in for theday (=total number of calories−number of ingested calories) and provideinformation indicating the remaining number of calories allowed to betaken in to the user. The information may be displayed on the displayunit of the UI unit 18, for example. For example, the total number ofcalories required per day is 1,500 kcal, and the user eats 500 kcal forbreakfast and 500 kcal for lunch. In this case, the number of caloriesallowed to be taken in for the day is 500 kcal. Information concerningmeals eaten by the user is obtained as, for example, user information.

When the user has burned the total number of calories required per dayor more through an exercise, information indicating the expenditure ofthe calories may be provided to the user or the difference between thenumber of calories burned through the exercise and the total number ofcalories may be provided to the user. For example, the total number ofcalories required per day is 1,500 kcal and 2,000 kcal have been burnedthrough an exercise. In this case, information indicating the differencebetween the total number of calories and the number of calories burned(i.e., 500 kcal) may be displayed on the display unit of the UI unit 18.In this case, the total number of calories or more have been burned.Thus, a message indicating the amount of exercise is excessive may bedisplayed on the display unit. Additionally or alternatively, a messageindicating that the user is allowed to eat meals whose calories amountto the difference may be displayed on the display unit.

In the exemplary embodiment described above and the first and secondmodifications, the terminal apparatus 10 may be wearable glasses(eyeglasses equipped with a display or a glasses-type wearableterminal). In this case, a pacemaker image, information concerning anexercise path, information concerning a goal point, and so on may bedisplayed on (lens of) the eyeglasses. For example, when a pacemaker isahead of the user on the exercise path (e.g., when the pacemaker isdefeating the user in a competition), the pacemaker image is displayedahead. The image may be displayed using augmented reality (AR)technology. The AR technology enables the pacemaker image to bedisplayed on the eyeglasses in such a manner as to be superimposed onthe exercise path in real space.

The exemplary embodiment described above, the first and secondmodifications, and other examples may be applied to kinesitherapy fordiabetes, for example, or to other ordinary exercises. When anapplication is made to a therapeutic exercise for diabetes, the exerciseintensity may be set to a suitable level (e.g., 50% or more).

Generally, exercise and nutrition interact. For example, if the user hasnot performed an exercise, the energy (or the number of calories) whichwould otherwise have been expended through the exercise has not beenexpended, more severe dietary restrictions (e.g., limiting glucoseintake) are imposed than when the user has performed the exercise. Whenthe user has performed the exercise, conversely, less dietaryrestrictions are imposed. Exercise parameters and an exercise durationare set using the exemplary embodiment described above, the first andsecond modifications, and other examples on the basis of mealinformation about the user, which allows the user to be provided withinformation for assisting the user with their exercises in associationwith meals.

The control unit 36 may provide the user with a food menu that isdetermined based on the exercise state of the user. For example, theuser has an upper limit on glucose intake per day. In this case, thecontrol unit 36 provides the user with a food menu that controls theamount of glucose intake during meals to be less than or equal to theupper limit. A food menu may be provided such that the glucose contentin meals increases as the actual amount of exercise for each dayincreases. Alternatively, the control unit 36 may propose a food menuthat is determined based on the exercise state of the user and theprogress of disease. For example, the control unit 36 may determine afood menu that further takes into account the preferences of the user(such as salty taste, sweet taste, and food genres (e.g., Japanese,Chinese, Italian, French, etc.)). Information indicating the food menudetermined in the way described above may be displayed on, for example,the display unit of the UI unit 18. In addition, commercial foodservices may be utilized. For example, a food menu with foods providedby commercial food services is determined based on the exercise state ofthe user and the progress of disease, and information concerning thefood menu is sent to the terminal apparatus 10 from the provider of thecommercial food services (e.g., from a terminal apparatus used in acompany that provides the commercial food services or from a device suchas a server). Alternatively, home delivery services may be utilized. Inthis case, the control unit 36 sends the food menu determined in the waydescribed above to a terminal apparatus used in a company that providesthe home delivery services or to a device such as a server and places anorder. In response to the order placed, the meals are delivered to theuser.

For an application other than an application to therapeutic exercises,for example, a pacemaker having an exercise ability equivalent to thatof top-level athletes may be used and the user may compete with thepacemaker.

For other applications, in a case where the blood sugar level of theuser is measured in real time, the control unit 36 may suggest the userto stop exercises when the blood sugar level becomes less than or equalto a predetermined threshold (a threshold for determining whether a lowblood sugar is occurring (e.g., 70 mg/dL)). For example, a message forcausing the user to stop exercises may be displayed on the display unitof the UI unit 18, or audio alarm or alarm light may be produced.Alternatively, the control unit 36 may estimate the current blood sugarlevel on the basis of a meal actually eaten by the user and the fastingblood sugar level and may output the above-described message if theestimated blood sugar level becomes less than or equal to a threshold.In this way, the terminal apparatus 10 according to this exemplaryembodiment is applicable not only to settings that prompt the user toperform exercises but also to settings that prompt the user to stopexercises.

The terminal apparatus 10 is implemented using hardware and software incooperation, for instance. Specifically, the terminal apparatus 10includes one or more processors such as a central processing unit (CPU)(not illustrated). The one or more processors read and execute a programstored in a storage device (not illustrated) to implement the functionof each unit of the terminal apparatus 10. The program is stored in thestorage device via a recording medium such as a compact disc (CD) or adigital versatile disc (DVD) or via a communication path such as anetwork. In another example, each unit of the terminal apparatus 10 maybe implemented by a hardware resource such as a processor, an electroniccircuit, or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In thisimplementation, a device such as a memory may be used. In still anotherexample, each unit of the terminal apparatus 10 may be implemented by adigital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA),or the like.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modificationsand variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: asetting unit that sets an exercise intensity; and a providing unit thatprovides exercise information used by a user to achieve the exerciseintensity.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the exercise information includes information about a pacemaker,the pacemaker being configured to perform a virtual exercise to becompared with an exercise performed by the user.
 3. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the providing unitprovides, as the exercise information, a comparison result between thevirtual exercise performed by the pacemaker and the exercise performedby the user, the pacemaker having a virtual exercise ability that isdetermined based on the exercise intensity.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the providing unitcontrols display of an image associated with the pacemaker and an imageassociated with the user to provide the comparison result.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thevirtual exercise ability is a virtual travel speed, and wherein theproviding unit changes a relationship between a displayed position ofthe image associated with the pacemaker and a displayed position of theimage associated with the user in accordance with the virtual travelspeed and a travel speed of the user.
 6. The information processingapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the providing unit furthercontrols display of a comparison result between a virtual traveldistance of the pacemaker and a distance traveled by the user, thevirtual travel distance being determined based on the virtual travelspeed.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the setting unit sets the exercise intensity in accordance witha comparison result between the exercise performed by the user and thevirtual exercise performed by the pacemaker.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit setsthe exercise intensity to a higher level when a result of the exerciseperformed by the user is better than a result of the virtual exerciseperformed by the pacemaker.
 9. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the exercise information includesinformation concerning one or more exercise parameters that aredetermined based on the exercise intensity.
 10. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a target heart rateof the user is calculated based on physical information about the user.11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe exercise information includes information concerning an exercisetime period that is determined based on at least one item of informationabout the user, the information about the user including physicalinformation about the user and meal information about the user.
 12. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theexercise information includes information concerning a target exerciseduration that is determined based on the number of calories to be burnedby the user.
 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim12, wherein the providing unit further provides informationcorresponding to a comparison result between the target exerciseduration and a duration of an exercise actually performed by the user.14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe exercise information includes information for guiding the userthrough an exercise path on which the user is to perform an exercise toachieve the exercise intensity.
 15. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the exercise path is determined based ona current position of the user.
 16. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 14, wherein the exercise path is determined based ona current position of the user and an exercise duration.
 17. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theexercise path is a path including a goal point to achieve the exerciseintensity.
 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim14, wherein the providing unit provides, as the information for guidingthe user through the exercise path, an image showing topography of theexercise path.
 19. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the exercise intensity is used to control a machineused for an exercise.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable mediumstoring a program causing a computer to execute a process forinformation processing, the process comprising: setting an exerciseintensity; and providing exercise information used by a user to achievethe exercise intensity.